Schools out for the Summer!!

 Yay!! School is officially out.  We always do a fun little basket for the kids with things they can do during the summer.  Also we have to have our annual Donut breakfast.  We are excited to be home for the summer and enjoy being with one another, and having fun.

First 2 Weeks

He is getting so big.  We all love him so much and cant believe he's been here over 2 weeks.  He is a great eater, and eats about every 3 hours.  He does pretty good with sleeping can't complain there.  He loves to stay awake and look around at everything; he does not hold still.  He loves to look where the noise is coming from.

Belly Button fell off right at his 2 week mark.  We went in for his 2 week check up that day as well.  He had gained weight.  6 lbs 8.5 oz, and 2 " 20 1/2 " long.  He is getting bigger.

Since the belly button cord fell off it was time for his first bath.  He liked it until he had to get out.

Brecken

A few pictures of Brecken...I think he was a week old in all these pictures.  He didn't want anything to do with being undressed, and taking pictures. My sisters and I tried our best.  He sure is cute know matter what though.

The Arrival

Wednesday the 8th:  I had a Dr. apt that morning, and went in.  Everything looked great, I was dilated to a 4 which was the same as the week before, and I thinned to 70%.  I left feeling a little ache down there, but that's to be considered.  I ran a few errands, then headed home to pick up Addison from school.  That night we had Addison's Kindergarten program.  I was feeling just fine during that.
Right after Addison's program we went and got Ice cream.  When the kids were in bed, I started to feel a little cramping.  I got in the tub to see if it was anything, and it stopped.  Dean was up North for some classes we paid for that would help him take his boards. So I called Dean and talked to him about it, and we both thought I might have a little stomach flue the family had a couple days before.  I got in bed around 9:50 and still noticed some cramping, but nothing consistent.  Around 10:50 I woke up and started timing the contractions.  I kept putting off calling Dean, because I had on and off contractions for the last month, and I really didn't want to call him and have him drive all the way home, and miss his last day of class if it was nothing.  Well I kept telling myself that I would call him if I have another one, then I would wait for the next one.  They weren't really consistent, but were coming every 7-10 minutes, then some sooner and some later.  Finally I got up and called Dean around 1:00 or so...by this time the contractions were 5-7 minutes apart.  He said he was on his way, and told me to call my mom and sister to come take me to the hospital.. Love having my parents as neighbors. So 20 or so minutes later I call my mom, Still felt like they weren't to bad so told her she didn't need to hurry. After I got off the phone and started getting things together, my contractions jumped to 2 minutes apart.  Dad showed up to sleep with the kids, and I got in the car around 2.  On the way down contractions were still 2 minutes apart, and getting stronger.  We arrived at the hospital at 2:30, finally got into my room by 3:30, and was able to get in a birthing tub.  Yea!!!  We kept track of Dean to see where he was at and keep him posted.  I was in a lot of pain, and wishing I had my sweet husband there to help me focus.  I did however have my mom and sister, who were amazing the whole time.  Its hard to help someone in so much pain, I would feel helpless, but they did awesome and were there the whole time to hold my hand or let me squeeze as hard as I needed too.  I love them so much.  I had initially asked Stephanie to come be the photographer...which she still tried to squeeze in, but she and my mom were my support system.  I was hurting bad and felt like I couldn't go on...got and epidural, but by the time he had just put it in I was informed I was ready to push my water was bulging right there.  Epidural never even had time to kick in.  I was so mad...why don't they tell me how far along I am before I get the Epidural not after. Oh well.  I felt all my contractions...so I wanted the baby out.  Dean was outside of cedar by this time, only 20 minutes away he said...but I couldn't wait.  I told him I loved him but I needed to push.  I pushed 3 times and he was out.  Our beautiful baby entered the world after so long of waiting for this precious spirit to come to our house I couldn't help but cry, and feel so overwhelmed at the spirit that had entered the room with my sweet little one.  I had a very special confirmation that my heavenly father new all I had went through to get him here, and all that I had lost, and he let me know He loved me, and new what was best for me.  I still cry and am crying now at that wonderful experience.  Brecken weighed 6 obs 3 oz..which is good for coming almost 4 weeks early.  He was 18 1/2 " long.  He came out with his eyes open and didn't close them for hours.  He just stayed awake looking around.  Dean came into the room just as Dr. Lunt was finishing me up.  I love him so much and was so relieved he had made it safe, and was finally here.  I wish I could go back to that night or I guess morning and relive all that I felt, but I guess I do each day, as I look at my beautiful family, and see how blessed I really am.  Since he was early he had a bunch of extra tests he had to take, which he did awesome at.  He was a champ at eating,  He came out sucking, and really hasnt' stopped yet.  Hope that helps him chunk up a bit.  We got visitors later that day.  Grandma got the kids out of school, and brought them down to meet there new brother.  We still hadn't decided on a name, but I was leaning toward, Jase, Landon, and Brecken "breck".  I finally settled on Landon...which them came with a sudden burst of tears, and sobbing from big brother Preston.  Apparently he had his heart set on Brecken.   So that is kind of how Breck got his name.  Not that I didn't love it, I had been going to name him that up until 2 days earlier...so I think that is why Preston was so upset I didn't choose it, but all is well now, and baby Brecken looks like a Brecken.  We were able to come home later Friday evening, and have loved being home.